Chapter 567 – Repetition (2)
The fact that Beldoran could temporarily free himself from the restriction of Silence meant that interrogation through questions and answers was possible.
───...There's nothing that will change just because you treat me so harshly. I had not the slightest thought of sneering or deceiving you. Don't you have many things you're curious about me? Then, go ahead and ask.
The lower jaw, which had been blown off entirely, began to regenerate slowly. Beldoran, in Ruyten's body, revealed his white teeth.
Verden spoke.
"If you wish to show sincerity toward me, you need only not resist
───If my bottom line is stripped away, I will lose all value I possess. Then I will be killed on the spot. I do not wish to die yet. At least not now.
Even as he revealed his instinctive desire to beg for his life, he also showed a strong will, insisting that he would actively cooperate.
Highly suspicious.
Yet, it was also sincere.
Even if he were killed here and now, Verden would suffer no loss. Since this was an unforeseen situation, the original schedule would not be affected in the slightest.
However, opportunity was also an undeniable fact.
...The deliberation lasted only a moment.
"If I judge you're lying, you die."
After delivering the first and last warning, Verden once again parted his lips. He began with the subject of the plan Gluttony was scheming.
"Why do you seek to obtain the body of a transcendent?"
Information obtained from the previous
What Beldoran sought at the end of his deal with the Bohemirn magic tower was the body of a transcendent being, like Verden.
The reason was unknown.
Only the result had been uncovered.
To grasp the cause as well, it would be necessary to prolong
An intent-thought immediately flew across.
───The world may appear quiet, but inside, it is in turmoil from the Hierarchy Breakthrough incidents. It could explode at any moment. The same was true for our side. Gluttony's First Molar had recognized that artificial influence had been imposed upon the old humanity.
Beldoran spoke of the loss of the concept that suppressed the hierarchy.
───Thankfully, that influence was erased by Amwol, but we could not be at ease. There could still be similar elements left. Until now we had never noticed there was even such a thing as hierarchy suppression, so what could we discover now? Thus we came to distrust our very bodies.
"You react more sensitively than the magic world itself, which is the party directly involved."
───But of course. Isn't it obvious? The artificial hand embedded within the old humanity, that Other Will. To move according to outside pressure and someone's intent, that is an element we must absolutely reject! The new humanity is 'freedom unviolated', and the overcoming of the filthy, chaotic flaws of the old humanity, it is the pinnacle of a pure race!
Beldoran's emotions surged, then quickly subsided.
───...Therefore, we decided to revise our existing ideology, and so we did. Not a new humanity based upon the old, but a completely new species, created from nothing.
"To throw away everything you've built up so far for that ideology? Even what the Doctor left behind?"
───The Doctor repeatedly carried out research closest to the previous ideology, but even that was ultimately a product of the old humanity tainted by Other Will. The research he left behind has greatly contributed to the conception of the Red Fragments and the enhancement of the hosts, but I have no attachment to discarding its greatest part. Just because one insists that a falsehood is truth, how can it become true?
Beldoran was resolute.
───And the Doctor who had completed the past ideology, he has long been dead. That, the Ark dealt with, so you know it well... Ah, but what did you do with the Doctor's lifelong research records? You must have recovered them, surely?
"Of course, I burned them."
───...You threw them into the flames. Ah, I see. So, you were the one who killed the Doctor? Most likely Rupel as well. Haha, now I understand why the two of them were suddenly hunted down.
Crack.
Verden tightened the fingers gripping Beldoran's forehead. The skin warped, and cracks spread across the front of the skull.
"You try to slyly seize the initiative in this conversation. Just answer what I ask. So, what did you plan to do with the body of a transcendent once you obtained it?"
───Ghhk... The byproducts, of a transcendent existence, were to become the foundation of the new humanity based on our revised ideology. We believed without doubt that if we studied and utilized it deeply, we would grasp a clue toward the completion of the new humanity. After all, was it not the transcendent who discovered and erased the artificial traces? And, an opportunity presented itself as well.
"An opportunity?"
───Amwol, Dahit Wethroel... That pioneering transcendent who awakened the magic world, no, the entire world to new truths and freed it from constraints, that transcendent will soon die. At the hands of other magical transcendents. There is no way he could cause such an upheaval and not face sanction.
And then.
───The transcendent to strike down Amwol head-on will most likely be the Bohemirn tower master. Their ill-fated bond is no mere ill fate. If so, the Bohemirn tower master will, at all costs, conceal Amwol's corpse from the world's eyes and secretly spirit it away. There can be no greater experimental subject. Such an opportunity is one in a lifetime. And then, under cover of that secrecy, we intended... to steal Amwol's corpse.
To steal?
From Balrog?
───It does indeed sound reckless. The opponent is the tower master, ranked second in martial might. But there is a way. The First Molar, founder of Gluttony, and the Second Canine who guards him, they are on a different level from the likes of me or any other executives. They are irreplaceable beings.... Though, it may already be too late to obtain Amwol's corpse.
In other words, within Gluttony there exists a being who has reached the same realm as a transcendent.
As Verden was about to press for the identities of that First Molar and the Second Canine, Beldoran displayed his refusal.
───Haha, as I said earlier. If my bottom line is stripped away, I will die, and I do not wish to face death right now. So, if you want to hear more important and detailed information... how about we make a deal?
Verden let out a dry laugh.
"You think I would strike a deal with one who sees humans as mere materials?"
───If the word 'deal' displeases you, call it tribute instead. I will unilaterally present you what you desire. In return, you would only grant me the smallest convenience, reconsidering me... But, you call me one who sees humans as mere materials. From the look of it, you extremely abhor human experimentation. I know it is presumptuous, but nonetheless, let me ask you just one thing. Do you, truly believe that the Ark to which you belong is clean?
...The Ark?
Verden fell silent.
Sensing the absence of knowledge in that silence, Beldoran's mind quivered.
───Haha! As I thought, you've only recently become the captain of the Ark. You don't even know the secrets related to the Ark's upper echelon!
"You mean to tell me that Gluttony's roots lie in the Ark?"
───No, no. That, everyone involved already knows. And too much time has passed to even call it roots anymore. What I mean is the 'Ark of the present age'.
Beldoran shrugged his shoulders.
───For you see... Gluttony's traitor, before the Doctor, the most brilliant human researcher of them all, now resides within the current Ark, does he not?
***
Verden furrowed his brow.
The secret message that the Ark had not only taken in the human experimenter who betrayed Gluttony, but was hiding the fact as well.
It seemed like an attempt to sow discord, yet Verden perceived there was not a shred of falsehood in it.
...
Silence swelled.
As the aura of the transcendent gradually revealed itself, Beldoran felt as if his breath would cease. Even the fragments of that presence were destructive.
"What is your intent."
Verden asked.
Why had he suddenly turned cooperative?
If he did not clearly explain, or if the explanation was even slightly unconvincing, Beldoran would be extinguished here.
Drip... drip...
Cold sweat mixed with blood rolled down, gathered at his chin, then dripped onto the floor. At last, Beldoran brought forth the hidden depths of his heart.
───Though still your true form is unperceived, though I cannot discern your identity, though I do not even know where this place is, nevertheless, it is because you are fitting.
The whisper grew stronger.
───I saw you walk freely out of Gluttony's camouflage, which old humanity could never intervene in, I saw you wield Amwol's black flames, I saw you, right now, before my eyes, and in scrutinizing you carefully... I became certain.
Beldoran could not conceal his excitement.
───You are not of the old humanity. Perhaps once you were, but now you most certainly are not. That is why you may even be a pioneer.
The man's eyes curved with a smile.
───You must meet Gluttony's Molar. Is this not what you yourself desire? If you are to destroy Gluttony, you must slay the one who stands at its peak. And for that, you will absolutely need me. I can be that bridge.
He claimed he would grant them the chance to meet the leader of Gluttony.
Though he declared himself a traitor, there was none of the usual slime or vileness about him. Rather, he was as devoted as some lofty martyr.
It was then.
Thud!
Beldoran's head exploded. Blood and flesh scattered in every direction. Soon after, the severed neck began to writhe.
"As expected of a merchant advisor, you know well how to wag your tongue."
Shrrrk! Clank!
The moment Beldoran's head regenerated, the restraint clamped down upon his mouth without a gap. It was the function of the Great Hall's prison.
"You've piqued my interest. Your death shall be deferred, for now."
With that, Verden turned and walked out of the desolate prison. A few metallic echoes rang out, before silence descended.
You are, a pioneer.
Beldoran repeated the same words inwardly, shoulders shaking. His mouth was sealed inside and out, so no laughter could sound.
In his stead, only the low rattling of chains echoed faintly.
***
It could not be denied.
The interrogation of Beldoran, Gluttony's Third Canine, had planted within Verden the seed of doubt toward the Ark.
Ever so faint, yet undeniably present.
Whether it would sprout and bloom, or be uprooted completely, would be determined when he reached the Ark's stronghold, the Sky Island, Ark itself.
It was a matter to be resolved later.
Barely a few hours had passed when Cain arrived.
"Enette has awakened, senior."
From the Bohemirn magic tower, an unofficial test subject given the number seventy.
A transcendent───a Master's exiled disciple had regained consciousness.
***
Ki-i-i-ing.
Descending deep into the Great Hall aboard a massive lift, they turned to the left.
Because Enette was a person with mental instability, she required careful monitoring, and so several Black Hour mages had been stationed along the corridor at all times.
Command of the watch was handled by a lower executive of Black Hour, 'Aldeban'.
"I greet the new star."
Tap.
Verden laid a hand on his shoulder once, and passed by without a word.
Well done.
That alone was enough to fill Aldeban's chest with surging joy.
For in the Great Hall, Verden was lord and king, emperor and god alike. Such joy was only natural.
Step, step.
At last, they reached the end of the corridor.
"Welcome, O Divinity."
The Society's Sage of Wisdom, Melard Tastienne, greeted the master of the Great Hall, with Heras pushing her wheelchair.
Verden asked.
"No problems?"
"At first, she showed signs of extreme anxiety, but once her sword was returned to her, she found stability. However, I do not believe it safe to say all is well. She still shows several signs of mental disturbance."
"Such as?"
"She seems to be... what should I say, afraid."
Afraid?
Of what?
"We only confirmed that she was capable of communication. We have yet to properly exchange words with Enette, so I do not know. That, will be your part to discover, O Divinity."
"I see. Thank you for sparing the time to heed my request. If you wish, you may also accompany me to meet Enette. Would you?"
"Hoho, I must decline politely, O Divinity. I fear I would be but a hindrance. And do not think that because I granted your request, I consider myself in your debt."
Melard smiled.
"For me, this is only natural."
Pure goodwill.
Even when she had learned that it was Verden who had driven the Bohemirn magic tower's power source into a frenzy, she had merely been surprised, and nothing more. Her attitude never shifted, nor did she reveal the truth to anyone.
For she believed without doubt that, when Verden was ready, he himself would tell it.
After a brief farewell, Melard and Heras withdrew.
"I shall open it, my lord."
Adrian extended his hand, activating the Great Hall's secondary control authority. The reason he willingly followed Verden here was simple.
Enette was a powerful swordswoman, and the disciple of a martial transcendent.
Thoom.
The door opened from bottom to top.
Inside, at the edge of the bed, sat a long-haired woman with amber locks, leaning against the wall.
She clutched a greatsword with a thin body, wide blade, and long length, holding it as if it were a precious treasure.
Swish.
Enette's eyes shifted slightly, fixing squarely upon Verden and Adrian.
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